1. Introduction

All things have a beginning, a middle and an end. And Information Technology (IT) is no different. Indeed it could be argued that IT sees more rapid change than many other technologies. Think how many 'upgrades' have happened with your favourite software.

For instance, imagine you have been working at a company for a few years.
At some point in the past a wonderful new system was introduced into the company. Everyone was happy. Management could see their business improve. The workflow for employees was smoother and more productive.

After the first few months of bedding in, the system worked well... and for a few years the system did everything it was meant to do.

Time passed, people moved on, the company changed ... that wonderful system began to show its age... the new manufacturing system now had problems exchanging data. Customer invoices no longer flowed effortlessly from their newer systems into your aging IT system.

Workers grew tired of using old CRT screens - even their home computers were more modern than this!

It was time for a change.

But change has to managed to avoid disruption, chaos and inefficiency. This is where 'System Life Cycle' comes in.